Press Release

Chairman Hastings Repeats Calls for Obama Administration to Extend Public Comment Period on National Ocean Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C.,
March 20, 2012 -
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today sent a letter to the co-chairs of President Obama’s National Ocean Council to once again request that the public comment period on the draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan be extended for an additional 90 days.

Chairman Hastings first requested a 90-day extension in a letter sent on February 23, 2012. This request was refused and only an additional 30 days were provided.

“The likelihood of deterring new investment and job creation is too great to rush the implementation of this questionable new federal bureaucracy,”writes Hastings in the letter.“More than 15 agencies had over two years to construct this far-reaching policy, so it is certainly reasonable to allow more than just 75 days for comment by those whose communities and livelihoods could be harmed and negatively affected by the President’s Executive Order.”

In addition, Chairman Hastings’ letter reiterates his request for information regarding funding and staffing to implement the National Ocean Policy and asks for a copy of any budget planning memoranda, drafts, and other guidance related to the development or implementation of the National Ocean Policy that was provided to federal agencies or departments for developing their FY 2013 and FY 2014 budget proposals.